Almost everyone experiences heartache at least once in their life. Although emotional and physical symptoms are often associated with lovesickness, this form of suffering is rarely seen in a medical context. However, particularly severe forms are considered part of a medical symptom, which is described in the specialist literature under the term “Broken Heart Syndrome” and which can have serious physical consequences.
The individual complaints of heartache and how long it lasts before the gaze can be confidently directed forward again is very individual and depends not least on previous experiences and coping strategies learned. Some help, comfort for the soul and gentle remedies from naturopathy that can ease the process of lovesickness can be found further down in this article.
Table of Contents
- Overcoming lovesickness – tips and assistance
- Dealing with separation pain
- Lovesickness is always different
- Lovesickness Symptoms
- What helps against lovesickness?
- Naturopathy for lovesickness
- Stories with therapeutic power
Dealing with separation pain
Although most people are confronted with lovesickness in their lives, there are enormous differences in how they perceive and cope with this depressing emotional state. Many sufferers can overcome their lovesickness over time without further help, but for others the heartache can also manifest itself physically in the form of broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo syndrome; reversible cardiomyopathy) and become a life-threatening risk. In addition, lovesick people in particular are at greater risk of suicide, and heart pain is the most common cause of suicide in adolescents and young adults.
Lovesickness is often difficult to cope with, especially for young people. (Image: K.- P. Adler / fotolia.com)
Lovesickness is always different
Lovesickness always arises when our love is not or no longer reciprocated, usually after a breakup. Above all, grief strikes the abandoned person who is often left “as if struck by lightning”. The feelings and reactions are similar to those that we encounter as grief reactions after the death of a loved one, although the pain of love after a separation lacks the finality of death. But no matter how much you try to objectify the process from the outside, every person feels their love pain as unique.
Lovesickness Symptoms
Lovesickness can lead to a variety of physical and emotional complaints. In many cases, inner restlessness and brooding cause sleep disorders, which in turn lead to fatigue , exhaustion and difficulty concentrating during the day . The appetite diminishes or the attempt to release the body’s own happiness hormones through chocolate intake ends in indomitable food cravings .
The heart feels “heavy” or “torn” and it is not uncommon for the heartache to be clearly noticeable physically. In the worst case, this can manifest itself in Takotsubo syndrome, a reversible cardiomyopathy, the symptoms of which are similar to acute coronary syndrome. There are then quite serious physical impairments that can range up to a life-threatening cardiogenic shock. It may therefore be necessary to provide intensive medical care for those affected.
The stomach sometimes contracts with lovesickness, nausea and abdominal pain can occur. In most cases, lovesickness is also accompanied by a loss of self-esteem and depressive moods, which, however, can also lead to persistent depression and suicidal thoughts.
Almost all people experience lovesickness at least once in their life. In some sufferers, however, this is so pronounced that they develop what is known as broken heart syndrome. (Image: lassedesignen / fotolia.com)
What helps against lovesickness?
In most cases, time heals the wounds. On the path to healing, we react as we usually do to emotional stressand do profound changes. Sometimes with fear, self-blame and feelings of guilt, sometimes with anger, defensiveness, assigning blame and vindictiveness. While one seeks conversation in order to understand, others withdraw and “stew in their own juice”. Lovesickness can last for weeks, months, or years. Only when we accept the loss and integrate the past relationship into our “inner treasure trove of experience” can we look freely into the future again and open ourselves to a new partnership. If we remain emotionally or mentally stuck in despair, hope, the beautiful past, in hatred or depression, this is sometimes an indication of inadequate coping strategies, as they were often learned or not learned in previous relationships, for example in one’s own family of origin.
Naturopathy for lovesickness
The healer Hildegard von Bingen mixed her “Storchenschnabel-Mischpulver” from geraniums, pennyroyal mint and rue a thousand years ago in order to alleviate heart ailments that arose out of sadness and pessimism. It can be assumed that numerous lovesick people with heart pain also benefited from this mixture back then.
Even in ancient times, the rose was considered a flower of love. Condensed into rose water, the scent of its flowers is said to open mind and heart and soothe heated feelings. A pleasantly tempered bath with colored rose petals can help to (re) strengthen self-love through the senses. Likewise, an injured heart should recover with a drop of rose oil, which is applied several times a day to the middle of the sternum.
Today many other flowers are known to have a balancing effect on the soul. The Bach flower therapy can support the processing of lovesickness. The Star of Bethlehem is known as a real “comforter of the soul”, accompanying the grief until the worst pain subsides. When hatred and anger prevail, Holly can cool the mind, while White Chestnut helps you focus on other things again. Those who indulge in the past forever may need honeysuckle to take the step into the present. Confidence and optimism can be with Gentianare awakened and when the willingness to change has already developed inside, Walnut is often the stepping stone into a new phase of life.
Stories with therapeutic power
For as long as people have used language, life experiences have been passed on in narratives and stories. Although this tradition has become increasingly rare in everyday life in this country, a branch of psychotherapy has developed in recent years that deals with the healing power of stories and metaphors. These healing stories have a rather indirect and suggestive effect; they should not be analyzed, but rather intuitively recorded and set internal processes in motion.
